Topic: Humanitarian Aid

In conversation with Diana Hodali, Syria expert Kristin Helberg is critical of the fact that although the Europeans may be ready to take part in a military intervention in the Syrian conflict without a UN mandate if necessary, they insist on a UN mandate when it concerns the protection of civiliansMore

Under increasing financial pressure, Syriaʹs neighbours – Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey – are pressuring Syrian refugees to return to their home country, whether conditions across the border are safe or not. By Jesse MarksMore

As mass murder takes place in Syria before the eyes of the world, civilian volunteers – such as the Syrian White Helmets – continue to be the subject of an extraordinary propaganda campaign. Instead of facts, this is dominated by fake news and a large dose of inhumanity. By Emran FerozMore

It seems that whatever happens in Yemen, any victory is likely to prove to be a pyrrhic one, writes Stasa Salacanin. As a UN panel of experts recently reported, Yemen as a state essentially no longer exists and no party to the conflict has the political support or military strength to reunite the countryMore

Idlib, in north-western Syria, is dominated by jihadists. But resistance there takes on many forms, and civil structures are emerging as an effective weapon in the battle against terror. By Kristin HelbergMore

Is the cautious rapprochement between Hamas and Fatah now under threat following U.S. President Trump’s announcement that Washington will be moving its embassy to Jerusalem? Elisa Rheinheimer-Chabbi spoke to Matthias Schmale, Head of the UN refugee agency for Palestinians in Gaza

For a week, Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former long-time ruler of Yemen fought against his erstwhile Houthi alliance partners for control of the capital Sanaa – then suddenly he was dead. By Karim El-GawharyMore

War between Iran and Saudi Arabia would be of no use to anyone, not even to the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Ben Salman in Riyadh or Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. On the contrary: both men could conceivably find themselves ousted. Yet powerful political factions exist that are intent on warmongering. By Ali SadrzadehMore

The campaign of ethnic cleansing now being carried out against Myanmar′s Rohingya confronts the world with one of those moments that seem to arrive unannounced. Surely, by now, we should be able to recognise in such episodes the accelerating pulse of genocide? By Bernard Henri-LevyMore

The idea that refugees are either victims or invaders is having a major impact on public debate within Germany. In interview with Sarah Kanning, social scientist Heidrun Friese provides insights into her latest researchMore

The battle for Mosul should have been brought to an end a long time ago. Last October, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi promised the city would be liberated within three months. But the battle for what used to be Iraq's second largest city has now been raging for more than seven months. And the number of civilian victims continues its dramatic rise. By Birgit SvenssonMore

Anything is better than waiting. Even deportation back to Turkey is no longer such a frightening prospect for refugees stranded on Lesbos. But now, Ankara says it is no longer willing to take back rejected asylum seekers. Ulrich von Schwerin reports from LesbosMore